Obituary of Mary Gloria Cates Norris

Mary "Gloria" Cates Norris, the daughter of Sam Woody and Sara Hattie (Kemp) Cates, was born April 22, 1919 in Iago, Texas. She was a graduate of the Iago Community School with the Class of 1937, and the Jefferson Davis Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1941. She was a Registered Nurse and Registered Surgical Nurse. Gloria was united in marriage to Lewis Duroe Norris on January 29, 1944 in Houston, Texas. As a nurse, she and Dr. Lewis opened for business, in 1951. She was also a Private Duty Nurse in Des Moines, Iowa. Gloria, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, loved to spend time with her family and friends. Her interests included golfing, charity events, socializing and parties. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was a past Deacon and Elder, a member of the Skiff Hospital Auxiliary and the Country Club. Gloria went to be with her Lord on Friday morning, February 22, 2008 at her home in Newton. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dr. Lewis Norris; and her six siblings. Those left to honor Gloria's memory include her daughters: Jackie Lynn Rutz of Grinnell, Iowa and Lori Ann Martin of Newton; her five grandchildren: Roman Avila, Jerry Crook, Mindi Hansen, Betsy Rutz and Gretchen Rutz; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Edith Norris of Hayward, California; special friend, Justin Goodman of Kellogg, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and her many good neighbors and friends.